OIl Mediums

Art Spectrum painting mediums are based on sound painting principles. Art Spectrum mediums are easy to use and accurately labelled to assist the artist. They are available in a wide range of sizes for convenience and economy.

Why artists should use painting mediums.

Today's advanced testing indicates that the use of turpentine alone as a diluent for paints is to be avoided. It is too easy to destroy the binder and benefits of carefully milled paint.

Sound painting principles involve painting from 'Lean' mixtures to 'Fat' mixtures of paint. (This prevents cracking in the paint film during drying.)

With traditional mediums this is achieved by starting with painting medium No.1, and progressively 'fattening' the successive layers of paint as you work, with mediums No. 2 and 3 as required. (If using our reduced odour range, begin with Lean Medium and then progress to 'Fat'). This technique is essential when paintings are completed over a period of time.

RETOUCH VARNISH
A temporary picture varnish. A thin coat restores luminosity to dull areas to aid colour matching. Sealer for painting grounds if the surface is too porous.

MATT WAX VARNISH
A satin-matt varnish for paintings. Can be rubbed on from the tin, or brushed on if heated first by placing tin in a container of very hot water. Can be buffed-up to a sheen with a lint free cloth. Removable with gum turpentine if necessary. Impasto medium for oil colours.

PARALOID VARNISH
High-gloss, non-yellowing acrylic varnish. Removable with mineral turpentine. Gloss finish can be modified by diluting with mineral turpentine.

Gesso & Primers

Art Spectrum also manufacture a comprehensive range of gessos and primers.

Our aim is to produce the finest, permanent artists' colours. Ongoing research and development may mean that specifications may change without prior notice.

Medium #1

PAINTING MEDIUM NO.I (The Leanest)
Medium No 1 represents the first link in the progressive system of painting mediums, described above. Ready to use, straight from the container. Dries overnight depending on climate. The safe way to achieve thin colour washes without destroying the binder of the paint. Especially suitable for 'watercolour effects'. Can be used as a sealer for canvas or used for mixing tints for canvas grounds.

Medium #2

PAINTING MEDIUM NO.2 (Medium Fat)
Formulated with more Stand Oil than No.1, and is used as the next 'fattest' medium.

Medium #3

PAINTING MEDIUM NO.3 (Fattest Medium)
Thickest and oiliest, slowest drying medium. Used as the final medium in the (progressive) sequence of No.1, 2 & 3 when paintings are completed over many successive days.

Medium #4

LIQUOL PAINTING MEDIUM
A quick drying transparent painting and glazing medium. Excellent for smooth brush work, fine detail and multiple glazes. Very adaptable, it can be used for many-layered glazing where it will give great depth and subtlety of colour. Liquol can be painted wet on wet, or left to dry before painting the next layer.

Wax Medium

WAX MEDIUM
Mixture of oil and wax. Add oil colour to wax medium to achieve a translucent effect. Imparts a lustrous, satin finish. Not suitable for impasto.

Painting Gel

ART SPECTRUM PAINTING GEL
Quick drying - reduces drying time of oil colours. Thixotropic painting gel which becomes liquid when worked. Can be used for moderate impasto or glazing techniques. Dries with a soft sheen. Add colour to gel and mix well with palette knife to achieve the degree of transparency required. Cleans up with mineral or artists' turps.

Refined Linseed Oil

REFINED LINSEED OIL
Pure refined linseed oil has been used for the finest artists' oil colour for centuries. Australian linseed oil is one of the finest in the world. For use with artists' oil colours and mediums.

Stand Linseed oil

STAND LINSEED OIL
Heat thickened linseed oil. For use with artists' colours to reduce consistency and enhance flow, and also in the preparation of oil painting mediums. Dries to a tough elastic film.

Odourless Solvent

ODOURLESS SOLVENT
Ideal solvent for those people sensitive to the odour of Turpentine. Unlike many low odour solvents, Art Spectrum Odourless Solvent will dissolve Damar, thus can be used to make traditional oil painting mediums.

Pure Gum Turpentine

PURE GUM TURPENTINE
A natural solvent for oils, used in most painting mediums. Double distilled from pine deoresin.

Artist Turpentine

ARTISTS' TURPENTINE
Gum turpentine alternative containing white spirit. Solvent for oils. Ideal for preparation of painting mediums. Has slightly less odour than gum turpentine.

Citrus Turpentine

CITRUS TURPENTINE
Double distilled for artists' use. Citrus aroma for those allergic to other turpentines. Made from orange zest.

Art Clean

ART CLEAN
A pleasant, citrus scented cleaning solution. Ideal for cleaning brushes, studio equipment, hands, as well as a variety of household uses. This is an all-natural product which is completely bio-degradable.

Damar Varnish

DAMAR VARNISH
For use as a final varnish for oil paintings, Damar Varnish is also used as a basis for making some painting mediums. For varnishing egg tempera, dilute with an equal amount of gum turpentine.